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During one trip, students visited the site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, where nearly 150 workers were killed in 1911. The tragedy led to improved working conditions for millions of Americans. “It gives it meaning for students,” Sherayko said. “America changed for the better out of a terrible tragedy. It is a powerful thing to be there and see that after reading about it.” Julio Rodriguez, associate professor of sociology (left), talks with Will Berke ’12 during an American Culture trip. On a tour of highways in Pennsylvania, the group talked with engineers and other transportation experts about the evolution of highways and the differences between roads like the Lincoln Highway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the United States, was designed to encourage travelers to stop at towns along its route. In comparison, the Pennsylvania Turnpike was designed to get travelers to their destinations as quickly as possible. “The students were able to ride on those highways and think about what they had learned,” Sherayko said. “They were able to get a feel for how different things are now and what that has done to the American psyche.” The program’s approach provides students with hands-on knowledge of what they are studying. “It was hard at first, but it pays off when you start seeing things from so many different perspectives,” said Jane Campbell ’12. “You read about things. You listen to speakers. You look at images. You go on trips where you can see the places where these major events happened and experience them with your professors. You are not just being lectured. It makes it more real and much more interesting.” Faculty members in the program try to incorporate alumnae as much as possible. This year, students were taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Nemours Mansion and Gardens in Delaware by Grace Gary ’76, who serves as the executive director. They also met with Lynn Kehoe Rollins ’64, who talked about her role as senior advisor for women’s issues for George E. Pataki, the former governor of New York. “This program made me think more critically,” Campbell said. “It made me think about the country in a different way.” A favorite trip for many of the students was to visit Margaret Krome-Lukens ’07, who is assistant director of the Pickard Mountain Eco Institute in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Students met people involved in the local food movement and were able to spend time working on the farm with Krome-Lukens. The discussions about sustainable food included a visit on campus from the market manager of Lynchburg’s Community Market and discussions about waste, American consumption, and the growing movement toward purchasing more local food. After the session on food, Leonard went out immediately and bought a lettuce plant. Today, she harvests leaves from the plant daily. “I see so many things from a completely different angle now,” Leonard said. “Take my lettuce plant. If everyone had their own plant, it would make a huge impact. That applies to everything in the American Culture Program: the movements, the civil rights, the transportation, the prison movement, the gay rights movement. All of them started with individual people. Enough people started paying attention, and eventually American thought changed. “Having that lettuce plant is a constant reminder to me of what I learned in American Culture,” she added. “It’s something I can do. It’s a way I can play a part.” 26
Standing Out Randolph College one of just 10 schools in Virginia to receive national TEAC accreditation It took two years of preparation, but Randolph College is now one of just 10 schools in Virginia—and the first in Lynchburg—to earn national accreditation from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). National accreditation, especially from a respected program such as TEAC, gives colleges and Jamie Steigerwald ’10 teaches physical education at a local private school. their graduates an edge. “The reputation as a college that prepares its students to be highly qualified, caring, and competent teachers is extremely important to our students as they enter today’s job market,” said Gail Brown, a Randolph education professor. Founded in 1997, TEAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving academic degree programs for professional educators. The organization has accredited more than 100 schools in 21 states. TEAC requires schools to examine goals and student outcomes and to show that graduates meet criteria quantitatively and qualitatively. TEAC then sends an audit team for review. “I always thought our program was good,” said Consuella Woods, a Randolph education professor. “But TEAC gave us an opportunity to make it even better. We have documented proof that our program can be compared, not just with other institutions around the state, but also at the national level.” In the review, TEAC recognized a unique aspect of Randolph’s undergraduate and master’s programs—the heavy emphasis on practical experiences in the classroom. Students receive classroom experience each year, a requirement hailed by students and graduates as a key element for preparing them for success. For Jamie Steigerwald ’10, it meant she was ready to handle her own classroom when she was offered a paid, part-time teaching position as a physical education teacher at a local private school during her senior year. The classroom placements help students develop and practice teaching strategies with the support and guidance of faculty members. In Steigerwald’s case, she was able to adjust to teaching in both a classroom and a gymnasium. “The strategies I learned were very helpful, and it was nice to be able to talk to professors about what things could be changed and modified to help,” she said. “Without all of the real experience I have received, I would not feel as prepared to teach.” Steigerwald believes the national accreditation will help her in the job market. Others agree. “For me, there is a great sense of pride in my alma mater as well as the security of knowing that I have been prepared to teach anywhere,” said Sandra Goldman ’10. Though the TEAC accreditation process was intense, faculty members said the time and effort was worth it. “This national recognition is a proud distinction for Randolph College,” said Peggy Schimmoeller, an education professor. “TEAC accreditation further validates the quality of Randolph’s teacher education program, its comprehensive curriculum, and the committed faculty and highly qualified teacher candidates.” 27
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